HC Deb 07 June 1956 vol 553 cc1257-8
24. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consult his advisory committee on the desirability of appointing a committee to consider the application of a national wages policy.

Mr. Iain Macleod

No, Sir. The Government are not contemplating any change in our traditional policy of leaving wages to be settled by direct negotiation between employers and workers in individual industries.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this would not in any way impinge upon traditional policy, except in a modified sense? Is there not something to be said for giving consideration to a more progressive method of dealing with wage questions? Has the right hon. Gentleman not given the matter consideration?

Mr. Macleod

Yes, Sir, I have given it a great deal of consideration. If the proposition is that all these negotiations and decisions should be considered and taken in the light of full knowledge of the country's economic position, of course I assent to that. We shall do everything we can to disseminate that knowledge as widely as possible, but if the suggestion is for a State co-ordinated wages policy, I am bound to say that I am certain that would be resented and opposed by both sides of industry, and I do not think it a practical proposition.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to look at certain documents on this subject which were presented during the period of office of the Labour Government whilst I was at the Ministry of Fuel and Power?

Mr. Macleod

I will look at those. The right hon. Member raised this question to some extent in a debate about a year ago, when he referred to the need for an economic council. I should have thought that the Government had quite enough advisory bodies in this and, indeed, in all other fields. As to the main question of a national wages policy, I am quite certain that that would not be acceptable to both sides of industry at present.

Mr. Gibson

In view of the impact of new electronic methods and automation on production, is not this a matter which could be discussed at national production committee meetings with a view to seeing if there is a possibility of such a method of settling wages being worked out?

Mr. Macleod

I am taking to the National Joint Advisory Council, over which I preside, some of the problems of automation, and we shall be discussing them next month.